Your heart and lungs serve as the core system for supplying oxygen to your body and circulating essential nutrients, ensuring your body functions its best. A disease or injury to an organ in your chest can affect your overall health and may require specialized surgical treatment.
WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute cardiothoracic surgeons are experienced in handling everything from routine matters to the most complex and delicate conditions affecting your heart, lungs, and esophagus. In some cases, you may not need open heart surgery. Instead, we can perform a minimally invasive surgery, using robot-assisted techniques, that results in less pain, less scarring, and a faster recovery. Should you require invasive surgery, be assured that we routinely treat high-risk patients to enhance their quality of life as much as possible. Surgical care is always provided by attending physicians – never residents.
Types of Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Valve surgery
- Aortic surgery
- Heart transplant
- Thoracic surgery
- Heart assist devices
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Transcatheter valve program
When Is Cardiothoracic Surgery Needed?
Cardiothoracic surgery is any surgical procedure that involves parts of your chest, including your heart, lungs, and esophagus (food tube). This surgery can also treat other organs, like your trachea (windpipe) or your diaphragm (a thin muscle between your chest and abdominal region).
Cardiothoracic surgery can treat a wide range of conditions.
Cardiothoracic Surgery for Heart Conditions
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Aortic stenosis
- Aortic aneurysm
- Heart valve conditions
- Heart disease, including coronary artery disease
Cardiothoracic Surgery for Lung Conditions
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary embolism
- COPD (congestive obstructive pulmonary disease)
Cardiothoracic Surgery for Esophagus Conditions
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal stenosis
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)